Whole Grains and Wanderings

Blog

Thoughts, musings and trail mix s’mores blondies: The Kunkle Family reunion is a time honored tradition, and this year, I finally baked a contribution.

I wish I had written down the words or solidified the quote in my head, but I didn’t. I left myself with only a fleeting paraphrase: “they did nothing of particular note, but they were good, earnest people.” It was a line from a binder of family history, a detailed preservation of branching family trees, stern looking portraits and tidbits connecting all the reunion attendees to the many who came before them. This family reunion, after all, goes waaaay back.

Whole Grain Trail Mix S’more Blondies

The notion of a simple life well lived struck me. Don’t we all just want to leave some piece of ourselves, to know that we added value, or that someone appreciated our efforts? Isn’t it why we pass on our names, establish heirlooms and [should] dive into protecting our natural resources?

Earlier this year, I made a resolution to speak my gratitude. Admittedly, I have a long ways to go to thank all those who have left an imprint on my life, but I did kick off this resolution with a very heartfelt note to a former teacher. I thanked him for the extra time he took, for the way he empowered me in a sea of male peers, and mostly, I wanted him to know that I think of him all the time. He may not be famous, but he’s a good, earnest person who left a mark. It’s so simple: people can’t feel the gratitude and appreciation we keep locked in our heads.

These little tidbits of gratitude and impact are all around us. This was the reminder I received at the Kunkle Family Reunion. I first joined this family reunion as an observer, following the Urban Farmer as he led me through the time honored schedule of events: base races, the old truck ride, water balloon tosses, creek swims (with a rope for jumping of course). I fell in awe of the details, the commitment to tradition, and simply put, the heart that goes into the planning and the hosting. The reunion came to epitomize summer for me, to slow me down just in time for those last few hot spells.

As we drove down the bumping, winding road this year, I couldn’t help but notice something new– a handmade sign alerting drivers to the “jostle” of the road, made even more jostle-y by the recent rains. There was so much jostle, in fact, that I couldn’t even snap a photo of this new reunion element.

As I sat, taking in the reunion, Bill Harder, pulled up a chair to chat. In reunion terms, this is like having the mayor choose to shake your hand. He’s the heart and soul of these reunions, the host whose attention to detail merits a dipped hat and a round of applause. To him I say, thank you for protecting such a good, earnest place!

But then, Bill told me something that made me dance a little inside. “Did you see the sign?” he asked me. Of course! “That was from your blog post. You said the road defined the word ‘jostle.'” Thanks to Bill, I had left my mark on this place, and I assure you, magic marker on poster board had never made me feel so warm and fuzzy.

Good and earnest and fun. This family reunion is where the most doting grandmothers wait and hope that this will be the year he enjoys the vintage truck ride (he did!). It’s where corn grilling is an honor and a privilege. It’s where the stories circulate about parents/grandparents with so many humorous, personality filled sayings, they still make the children/grandchildren reminisce fondly. This place is a celebration of all the little marks we make on each other.

Schedules of activities, officers and relay rulesFuture base-racer

All the excitement can be exhausting.

It’s the little details- like a small catch, in an old cabin, to hold open a screen door.Remi June and Uncle Kye Kye, aka Uncle Urban Farmer

It may have rained. It may have been too cold for swimming in the creek (not for the purple, pruney kids), and it may have been cut short in an effort to make it up the rocky, bumpy, winding road, but this family reunion was memorable and left its mark all the same.

Here’s to Bill. Heres’ to “Gigi” and Pappy. Here’s to laughing kids, competitive adults, old truck built to last and the finest little details. Here’s to good, earnest fun and those lasting marks they make.

Your turn! How does your family preserve tradition? Who has made an impact on your life? How do you share your gratitude?

Whole Grain Trail Mix S’more Blondies

About this Recipe:All the elements of camp in one blondie, made with healthier ingredients. I baked the marshmallows right on top of my blondies, but I’d recommend adding them last and broiling, so I’ve listed the directions accordingly. For the trail mix, my favorite is the Whole Foods blend that includes mini peanut butter cups (!), but you can also use your own mix of nuts and dried fruit.

Like this:

Continue Reading

About Me!

I'm the recipe developer, stylist, photographer and crazy dog lady behind With The Grains. I believe there's magic in baking bread, whipping cream and setting the table a little differently each time. I believe true health begins in the soil, is nurtured organically and should arrive at our tables with great care. Whether you're vegan, gluten-free or eat meat, you'll find a recipe here for you, so I hope you will join me in this conversation.

“The Rustbelt Farmer”

He has a name, but around here, I simply refer to him as “The Rustbelt Farmer.” I met him just as his urban farm dreams were taking shape, and I fell head over dirty boots for him. When I'm not in the kitchen or behind a camera, I try to be digging in the dirt alongside him. He inspires many a recipe.

The Kitchen Assistant / The Farmpaw

Never one to let a fallen crumb go to waste, Julep is always close to the kitchen action. When she's not sniffing around the photo sets, she is working overtime to keep the groundhogs from eating all the Urban Farmer's produce.